How does The New ‘Lord of the Rings' Movie Connect to the Main Trilogy?

Warner Bros' upcoming animated film, ‘Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,’ delves into a different era of Middle-earth's history, creating anticipation about its connection to Peter Jackson's beloved trilogy. As the animated prequel navigates lesser-known narratives from J.R.R. Tolkien's universe, the question on fans' minds is how it aligns with the iconic Lord of the Rings movies.

Jackson's trilogy set the benchmark for Tolkien adaptations, making it challenging for subsequent projects to match its success. However, with Warner Bros and New Line collaborating on ‘The War of the Rohirrim,’ audiences can anticipate intriguing ties to the cinematic legacy forged by Jackson.

War of the Rohirrim will unravel the rich history of the Kingdom of Rohan, a realm prominently featured in Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy. While audiences became acquainted with King Théoden, Éomer, and Éowyn, and witnessed Rohan's complex relationship with Gondor, the new film will delve into the kingdom's conflict with the Dunlendings and narrate the tragic saga of King Helm Hammerhand, predating Théoden's era.

In The Two Towers, Théoden led his people to Helm's Deep, a pivotal location named after Helm Hammerhand, a central figure in the War of the Rohirrim. According to Tolkien lore, Helm's Deep was originally established by Gondor but later gifted to the Rohirrim. During the Long Winter, Helm Hammerhand sought refuge there, leading to its renaming. The stronghold witnessed significant battles against the Dunlendings.

King Théoden's determination to protect his people is echoed in War of the Rohirrim through his ancestor, Helm Hammerhand. This tragic king, depicted as so formidable that he eschewed traditional weapons for deadly fist blows, promises thrilling anime visuals in the upcoming film.

While ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’ doesn't explicitly address it, a statue of Helm Hammerhand stands at Helm's Deep, foreshadowing the battle with Saruman's Uruk-hai. Depicted with a hammer and war horn, the film doesn't delve into the statue's origin, presenting an intriguing opportunity for War of the Rohirrim to unveil its construction and explore the identity of a broken statue nearby. 

Notably, Miranda Otto will return as Éowyn, serving as the film's narrator, potentially framing it as a tale within a tale, connecting War of the Rohirrim seamlessly with Jackson's trilogy. 

Illustrators Alan Lee and John Howe, responsible for the iconic designs of the original films, are contributing to the new project, ensuring the prequel maintains the essence of Jackson's Middle-earth. Set after Isildur's victory over Sauron and before Bilbo's encounter with Gollum, War of the Rohirrim captures the unsettling atmosphere of Sauron's impending evil, influencing the kingdoms and setting the stage for the dark events in Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy.

– Farheen Ali